Van conversion to camper vehicle

ABSTRACT

Apparatus to rearwardly extend the interior of a van body having a support frame, a rear door frame and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the door frame, includes: A. A FORWARDLY OPENING ENCLOSURE INCLUDING A DECK, SIDE WALLS, REAR WALL AND ROOF, THE ENCLOSURE SIZED TO EXTEND DIRECTLY AT THE REAR OF THE VAN BODY WHEN SAID DOORS ARE OPENED REARWARDLY FROM THE DOOR FRAME, AND B. A LOWER SUPPORT FOR THE ENCLOSURE LOCATED FOR ATTACHMENT TO REARWARD EXTENT OF THE VAN BODY SUPPORT FRAME. A stove and/or sink may be carried in the enclosure to be accessible from the van body interior, and the enclosure roof may be mounted for optional movement between raised and lowered positions.

United States Patent [191 1 May 1, 1973 Page, Jr.

[54] VAN CONVERSION TO CAMPER VEHICLE [76] Inventor: John S. Page, Jr.,2842 5th Street,

Boulder, Colo. 80302 [22] Filed: Aug. 13,1971

[2]] Appl. No.: 171,637

[52] U.S. CL. ,.296/23 R, 296/26 [51] Int. Cl. ..B60p 3/34 [58] Field ofSearch ..296/23 MC, 23 R, 296/26; 52/66 [56] References Cited UNITEDSTATES PATENTS 3,420,566 1/1969 Obra ..296/23 MC 2,645,518 7/1953 Cook3,347,589 10/1967 Sirk ..296/23R Primary Examiner-Philip GoodmanAttorneyWhite, Haefliger & Bachand [57] ABSTRACT Apparatus to rearwardlyextend the interior of a van body having a support frame, a rear doorframe and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from thedoor frame, includes:

a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, side walls, rear walland roof, the enclosure sized 'to extend directly at the rear of the vanbody when said doors are opened rearwardly from the door frame, and b. alower support for the enclosure located for attachment to rearwardextent of the van body support frame.

A stove and/or sink may be carried in the enclosure to be accessiblefrom the van body interior, and the enclosure roof may be mounted foroptional movement between raised and lowered positions.

11 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures VAN CONVERSION TO CAMPER VEHICLE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to van-type vehicles,and more particularly concerns the modification of vans for camping use.

With the growth of interest in camping there has developed widespreadinterest in and use of vehicles adapted to camping requirements. At thesame time, there is large scale usage of standard vans in and aroundurban areas for hauling purposes. Such standard vans have not beenthought of as adapted to camping requirements, especially as respectscooking facilities; however, in view of ecological and otherrequirements for reduced vehicle usage, there may be said to be a needfor such adaptation. Such a modified van usable for either standardurban purposes or for camping requirements, would also sharply reducethe cost of owning and operating both type vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a major object of the invention to meetthe above expressed need, through the provision of apparatus for rapidlyconverting a standard van into a camper type vehicle embodying kitchenfacilities, and vice versa. The apparatus is constructed to rearwardlyextend the interior of a van body having a support frame, a reardoorframe and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away fromthe door frame, and basically comprises:

a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck,

side walls or supports, rear wall and roof, the enclosure sized toextend directly at the rear of the van body when said doors are openedrearwardly from the door frame, and 1 b. a lower support for theenclosure located for attachment to rearward extent of the van bodysupport frame.

Further, means may be provided to attach the van rear doors to theenclosure when the doors are opened away from the door frame, and so asto maintain full and unobstructed communication between the interior ofboth the enclosure and van body; the enclosure may comprise a kitchenunit, with stove, refrigerator and/or sink units at the rear thereof, tobe accessible from the van interior; pop-up roof structure may beemployed to provide additional headroom to the user standing in theenclosure; the means to attach the enclosure to the van body maycomprise clamp structure holding the enclosure and van body ininterfitting and sealed relation; and the enclosure may be carried bylower support structure having telescopic connection with the vansupport frame.

It should be noted that when the kitchen unit is rearward, the van isleft in a form suitable for everyday use, and that the unit can beinstalled or removed in a very short time.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention, as well as thedetails of an illustrative embodiment, will be more fully understoodfrom the following description and drawings, in which:

DRAWING DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a camper van embodyingthe invention;

FIG. 2 is a left end view of the FIG. 1 van with enclosure in place;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged horizontal section taken on lines 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged vertical section taken on lines 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation, taken in section, showing theenclosure roof in down position;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary vertical section taken in elevation on lines 66of FIG. 4, and showing the enclosure roof in up'position;

FIG. 7 is a section showing a modified seal between enclosure and van;and

FIG. 8 is a horizontal section through a modified form of the invention.

In the drawings, the camper van l0 has a support frame 11 on which body12 is carried, the van typically also having side doors 13-15, wheels16, and body roof 17. Rear doors and front and rear bumpers are seen at18-21. Rear doors 18 and 19 are typically hinged at and 121 to the reardoor frame 22 to open rear wardly away from that frame and to open therear of the van interior 23. The top reach of frame 22 appears at 22a inFIG. 4, and the bottom of the frame 22 is seen at 22b in FIG. 4.

In accordance with the invention, apparatus to rearwardly extend the vaninterior includes a forwardly opening enclosure 24 having a deck 25,side walls 26, rear wall 27 and roof 28. If desired, the rear wall maycontain a window 27a, as seen in FIG. 2. The van is sized to extenddirectly at the rear of the van body 12 when rear doors 18 and 19 areopened to extend rearwardly from the frame, as for example to theirposition as seen in FIG. 3. As there shown, the enclosure fits closelybetween the rearwardly extended doors, which may be suitably releasablyattached to the sides of the enclosure, as for example by the L-shapedretainer brackets 29, with inner terminals 29a held at 30 to theenclosure, and outer terminals 29b fitting the outer sides of the doors.Note in this regard that the interior 31 of the enclosure communicatesdirectly with the van interior 23.

A lower support for the enclosure, as for example may includeinterconnected members 3235, is located for releasable attachment torearward extent of the van support frame 11, so as to transmit enclosureweight to the frame 11. Thus, for example, frame rearward extent maytake the form of square cross section tubes 36 rigidly attached (as at37-39) to the frame 11, to project horizontally rearwardly. Square crosssection members 35 are telescopically receivable in interfittingrelation with tubes 36, and to the extent shown in FIG. 4 to bring theenclosure wall forward edge portion 26a toward the rear door frame 22.Note that deck 25 then overlaps the van rear door frame lower extent22b, at 25a, and that a shoulder 40 carried by the deck 25 abuts a seal41 carried by van rear door frame lower extent 22b. A clamp 42 ismanually operable to hold the enclosure in the position shown, the clamphooking over a lug 43 on frame 11, and over member 34, and beingtightenable at 44. As will be seen, the enclosure may, accordingly, beheld in position sealing off between the enclosure and the van rear doorframe, or body.

Means for attaching the enclosure to the van body may also include clampstructure releasable connecting the enclosure top frame 46 to the vanrear door frame top reach 22a. As seen in FIG. 4, such structure mayinclude a bolt 47 projecting through an L-shaped member 48 integral withtop frame 46, and nuts 49 holding a bracket 50 to member 48. Reach 22ais then retained between the bracket and top frame 46, with sealslocated at 51 and 52. In addition, clamp structure 53 may be provided asseen in FIG. 3 between the enclosure wall forward extents 26a and thevan rear door frame upward extents 22c. Such structure may includeplates 54 and 55 and fasteners 56 extending therebetween. Plates 54 areheld in engagement with seals 57 and 58, thereby to seal off between theenclosure and van rear door frame. 1

The enclosure may consist of a kitchen unit, incorstructure may beprovided to be carried by the enclosure or kitchen unit and supportingthe roof 28 for optional movement between lowered and raised positionsrelative to the deck, as is clear from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. Such structuremay include a linkage with arms 64 and 65 pivoted to the top frame 46 at66 and 67. The opposite' ends of thearms carry lugs 68 guided in tracks69 attached to the roof 28, as during raising and lowering of the roof.Cross members 70 and 71 may respectively interconnectarms 64 and 65.When the roof is lowered, a peripheral seal 72 seals off between the topframe 46 and the roof underside. Releasable latch 80 and-keeper 81 holdthe roof in down position. 4 FIG. 7 shows an alternative means to sealoff between the enclosure wall 26 and the upright reach 220 of thevan-rear door frame. A rubber sealing flap 75 is attached at 76 to thereach 220, and is deflected at 77 to seal against the wall 26a when theenclosure is inserted into position. 7

FIG. '8 shows a van body 80 to which an enclosure 8l, as described, isattached; however, in this form, the

body rear doors 82 open to the inside of the enclosure, to extendadjacent t'he enclosureside walls 83. A stove or sink appears at 84.

1. ln apparatus torearwardly extend'the' interior of a van body having asupport frame, a rear door frame and upright rear doors hinged to thebody to open rear wardly away from the door frame while remaining upright,'the combination comprising 2. In apparatus to rearwardly extend theinterior of a van body having a support frame, a rear door frame, andrear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the doorframe, the combination comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure'including a deck,

side walls, rear wall and roof, the enclosure sized to extend directlyat the rear of the van body when the van doors are opened rearwardlyfrom the door frame,

b. a lower support for the enclosure located for attachment to rearwardextent of the van, and

c. means for attaching the van rear doors to the enclosure at oppositesides thereof when the doors are opened away from the door frame, so asto maintain full and unobstructed communication between the interiors ofthe enclosure and the van body.

3. The combination of claim 2 including a stove and refrigerator carriedwithin the enclosure so as to be directly accessible from the van bodyinterior.

4. The combination of claim 2 including a sink carried within theenclosure so as to bedirectly accessible from the van body interior.

5. The combination of claim 1 including structure carried by theenclosure and supporting the roof for optional movement between raisedand lowered positions relative to the deck.

6. In combination with a van body having a support frame, a rear doorframe, and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away fromthe door frame, apparatus for rearwardly extending the interior of saidvan body comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, I

side wall means, rear wall and roof, the enclosure extending directly atthe rear of the van body and the van doors being upward rearwardly fromthe door frame, b. a lower support for the enclosure attached torearward extent of the van, and i c. said van doors extending atopposite sides of the enclosure. Q 7. The combination of claim 1including clamp. means for attaching the enclosure to the van body.

8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the clamp means is located at .theforward extent of the enclosure top.

9. In combination with a van body havinga support frame, a rear doorframe, and rear doorshinged to the a. a forwardly opening enclosure.including a deck,

, side wall means, rear wall and roof, the enclosure sized to extenddirectly at the rear of the van body when, at least one of said doors isopened rearwardly from the door frame tachment to rearward extent of thevan, and c. means for attaching said one door tothe enclosure at oneside of the interior thereof when said .one

door is opened rearwardly. I

. a lower support for the enclosure located for. atf body to openrearwardly away from the door frame, ap v paratus for rearwardlyextending the interior of said van body comprising a. a forwardlyopening enclosure including a deck, side wall means, rear walland roof,the enclosure extending directly at the rear of the van body and the vandoors being displaced from the door frame, V i a lower support for theenclosure attached to rearward extent of the van, c. clamp meansattaching the enclosure to the van body, and sealing means sealing offbetween the enclosure and rear door frame, said sealing means includinga flap carried by the van rear door frame and compr'essively engagingthe enclosure sidewall.

6 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lower side wall means, rearwall and roof defining an insupport has telescopic attachment to the vansupport terior zone directly at the rear of the van body inframe belowthe level of the deck. terior and openly communicating therewith,

11. In combination with a van having a support b. alower support for theenclosure attached to rearframe, a rear door frame, and rear doorshinged to the 5 Ward extent Ofthe and body to open rearwardly away fromthe door frame, apthe rear doors belflg p P j Tearparatus for rearwardlyextending the interior of the van warffly generlly upflght condmon andat P body comprising 7 poslte sides of said interior zone. a. aforwardly opening enclosure including a deck,

v UNITED srATEs PA ENT OFFICE s n CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No.3,730,580 Dated May 1, 1973 Inventor(s) hn S- Page, Jr.

v It-is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent andthat said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 4 line 38; "the van doors being upward rearwardly from the"should read -the van doors being opened rearwardly from the-- Column 4,line 63; "body, and" should be and Signed and sealed this 9th day of Aril-19m.

(SEAL) Atte st:

G. MARSHALL DANN EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. v

' Commissioner"of Patents Atte sting; Officer USCOMM-DC 60376-F'69 FORMPO-1050 (10-69) Y i U.S. GOYERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE I959 O3$6-33 l.

1. In apparatus to rearwardly extend the interior of a van body having a support frame, a rear door frame and upright rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the door frame while remaining upright, the combination comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, side wall means, rear wall and roof, the enclosure sized to extend directly at the rear of the van body when at least one of said doors is opened rearwardly from the door frame b. a lower support for the enclosure located for attachment to rearward extent of the van, and c. means for attaching said one door to the enclosure at one side of the interior thereof when said one door is opened rearwardly.
 2. In apparatus to rearwardly extend the interior of a van body having a support frame, a rear door frame, and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the door frame, the combination comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, side walls, rear wall and roof, the enclosure sized to extend directly at the rear of the van body when the van doors are opened rearwardly from the door frame, b. a lower support for the enclosure located for attachment to rearward extent of the van, and c. means for attaching the van rear doors to the enclosure at opposite sides thereof when the doors are opened away from the door frame, so as to maintain full and unobstructed communication between the interiors of the enclosure and the van body.
 3. The combination of claim 2 including a stove and refrigerator carried within the enclosure so as to be directly accessible from the van body interior.
 4. The combination of claim 2 including a sink carried within the enclosure so as to be directly accessible from the van body interior.
 5. The combination of claim 1 including structure carried by the enclosure and supporting the roof for optional movement between raised and lowered positions relative to the deck.
 6. In combination with a van body having a support frame, a rear door frame, and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the door frame, apparatus for rearwardly extending the interior of saId van body comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, side wall means, rear wall and roof, the enclosure extending directly at the rear of the van body and the van doors being upward rearwardly from the door frame, b. a lower support for the enclosure attached to rearward extent of the van, and c. said van doors extending at opposite sides of the enclosure.
 7. The combination of claim 1 including clamp means for attaching the enclosure to the van body.
 8. The combination of claim 7 wherein the clamp means is located at the forward extent of the enclosure top.
 9. In combination with a van body having a support frame, a rear door frame, and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the door frame, apparatus for rearwardly extending the interior of said van body comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, side wall means, rear wall and roof, the enclosure extending directly at the rear of the van body and the van doors being displaced from the door frame, b. a lower support for the enclosure attached to rearward extent of the van, c. clamp means attaching the enclosure to the van body, and d. sealing means sealing off between the enclosure and rear door frame, said sealing means including a flap carried by the van rear door frame and compressively engaging the enclosure side wall.
 10. The combination of claim 1 wherein the lower support has telescopic attachment to the van support frame below the level of the deck.
 11. In combination with a van having a support frame, a rear door frame, and rear doors hinged to the body to open rearwardly away from the door frame, apparatus for rearwardly extending the interior of the van body comprising a. a forwardly opening enclosure including a deck, side wall means, rear wall and roof defining an interior zone directly at the rear of the van body interior and openly communicating therewith, b. a lower support for the enclosure attached to rearward extent of the van, and c. the van rear doors being open to project rearwardly in generally upright condition and at opposite sides of said interior zone. 